Author, Sanjay Dhakal
Designation, BBC News Nepali
Published 2 minutes ago
Reading Time: 6 minutes
Nepal's Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle has told the BBC that it will cost 'up to $6 billion' to build stronger and more sustainable infrastructure after the devastating floods.
He said that this is necessary so that new buildings and public infrastructure etc. are better prepared to withstand such disasters.
He said that a strong reconstruction could cost ten times more than a simple reconstruction.
Recently, due to Bhotekoshi-Trishuli flood, more than 1200 people have died in Nepal and thousands are missing.
Conference to raise funds
At present, the Nepal government is rapidly assessing the damage. Later a detailed assessment of the damage will also be done.
Dr. Gunakar Bhatta, vice-chairman of the National Planning Commission, said, "We are currently assessing the damage as quickly as possible. After this, we will do a comprehensive assessment within a month or one and a half."
He said that information technology, AI and other resources will be used for 'Post Disaster Needs Assessment' (PDNA), which will also include on-site inspections.
Bhatta said, "This is a different kind of disaster than the 1972 earthquake. We are dealing with it in a different way."
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At the same time, Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal has said that the loss is estimated in billions of rupees. But the exact figures and requirements will be known only after PDNA.
He said that on this basis, the Nepal government is seriously considering organizing a conference for donors.
Khanal said, "Talks are going on between the Finance Ministry and the Foreign Ministry in this regard. After PDNA, we will coordinate with friendly countries."
Even after the 1972 earthquake, PDNA and a donor conference were organized in Kathmandu. At that time the government had estimated the loss at $7 billion and donors had promised assistance of about $4.5 billion.
India promised to provide maximum assistance of 1 billion dollars. China, Asian Development Bank, World Bank, Japan and America also promised significant assistance.
Due to this year's floods, the hydroelectric sector alone is expected to suffer a loss of more than 100 billion Nepalese rupees. Apart from this, about 74,500 houses have been destroyed. 40 kilometer long roads and more than 30 bridges have been washed away.
Who has helped how much so far?
After the floods this time, many countries, multilateral donors and organizations have helped. It has been said in many reports that more than 10 billion Nepali rupees have been collected in the Prime Minister's Disaster Relief Fund.
After the initial relief and rescue phase, help for reconstruction is now expected.
Prime Minister Balendra (Balen) Shah recently said in a Facebook post, "Since the day of the flood, we have been receiving different types of assistance from friendly countries. These countries have stood as pillars of strength for us in times of crisis."
India is sending relief and rescue material, and teams of experts in different phases. China has also provided relief material and immediate assistance worth Rs 30 crore Nepalese rupees.
Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh and America have also helped Nepal. Australia has promised cash assistance of $1 million and sent a team of drone operators and experts.
According to the Prime Minister's Secretariat, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has sent 83 tonnes of essential relief material. Apart from this, assistance up to $10 million has been promised. Qatar has also sent 40 tonnes of relief material.
Britain has announced an aid of 5 million pounds. The European Union has already given 20 lakh euros and will give another 5 lakh euros.
The Prime Minister's Secretariat said, "Switzerland has already announced to donate 1 million dollars, Denmark 35 lakh Danish kroner, Germany 20 lakh dollars, Ireland 5 lakh Euro, Czech Republic 25 lakh Czech Koruna and Norway 17 lakh Norwegian Kroner."
According to reports, many other countries are also providing relief material and financial assistance.
American tech company Nvidia has donated 10 million dollars.
The World Bank has promised to provide a loan of $167 million at concessional rates. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has promised a grant of $5 million and additional technical assistance.
United Nations appeal
The United Nations and humanitarian partners have launched an emergency appeal for approximately $50 million, or more than 7.5 billion Nepalese rupees, to provide immediate life-saving assistance to more than 84 thousand people affected by the floods.
The United Nations said in a statement, "This plan, prepared under the leadership of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, is a four-month plan. This plan will work within the priorities set by the government. Its main goal is to prevent further suffering and the risk of people in high mountain areas settlements before the onset of winter."
“Families lost their lives, their homes and their livelihoods in a matter of moments as devastating floods and landslides hit the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli rivers,” said Leila Peters Yahia, UN Resident Coordinator in Nepal.
